Thread package



May 19 1964 H. H. WILEY 3,

THREAD PACKAGE Filed Feb. 26, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet l Herman Horace Wiley IN VEN TOR.

y 19, 1964 H. H. WILEY 3,133,636

THREAD PACKAGE Filed Feb. 26, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig- 5 Herman Horace Wiley INVENTOR. /4 y /2 [6 BY My, fiM

United States Patent 3,133,636 THREAD PACKAGE Herman Horace Wiley, 1403 W. th Ave, Gastonia, NC. Filed Feb. 26, 1962, Ser. No. 176,183 7 Claims. (Cl. 206--64) The present invention generally relates to a package and more particularly relates to a thread package for a plurality of separate threads.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide a package capable of accommodating a plurality of threads of either the same or a variety of colors.

A further objectiis the provision of a thread package wherein an individual" thread cgn be removed Without disturbing the remainder of the threads in the package.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of means which will maintain the packaged threads in a fixed position in the package during the removal of one of the threads.

Additionally, an object of the present invention is the provision of a thread package wherein only a small area of the threads are exposed thus preventing the soiling or damaging of the packaged threads.

Also, an object of the present invention is the provision of a thread pack-age which enables the package of a variety of different colored threads with each separate thread being readily accessible.

Likewise, an object of the present invention is the provision of a package in which the threads are so arranged as to allow easy grasping of one end of a thread upon removal of the thread from the package. This is of particular importance for the insertion of the thread through a standard sewing needle.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer'to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the thread package of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the thread'package with the top of the cellophane envelope removed so as to expose the uppermost fold of the threads for easy access thereto;

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially upon a plane passing along line 3-3 in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the supporting base or card and illustrates the manner in which the threads are positioned on the card and removed therefrom;

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view of the supporting base or card of the present invention; and

FIGURE 6 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 6-6 in FIGURE 5.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the reference numeral 10 generally designates the thread package of the present invention. The thread package consists of a supporting base or card 12 preferably made of pressed-board or plastic, but not specifically limited thereto. Two grooves or notches 14 and 16 are provided, one in each side, adjacent the top of the card 12, forming in effect an extending high center tab 18. While the notches 14 and 16 have been illustrated as substantially U-shaped, it is also contemplated that such notches can be V-shaped. A recess 20 is formed in the bottom edge of the card 12 resulting in two extending edges 22 and 24.

Turning now specifically to FIGURE 4, it will be seen that the threads, only a single thread 28 being illustrated for purposes of clarity, are first folded substantially in half with the center fold 30 positioned over the top of the center tab 18. The threads 26 are next positioned against the front and rear faces 32 and 34 of the card 3,133,636 Patented May 19, 1964 1 2. These threads 26 are then folded at 36 and 38 in opposite directions through the recess 20 at the bottom of the card 12, and subsequently extended along the front and rear faces 32 and 34 of the card 12 and folded at 40 and 42 through the notches l4 and 16, thus resulting in the threads being formed into five folds and extended six times along approximately the full length of the card 12. While it is preferred that the threads 26 be thirty-nine inches long, it is readily apparent that the invention is not specifically limited thereby.

Attention is also directed specifically to the arrows illustrated in FIGURE 4 which are intended to show the direction in which each individual thread 23 will move upon removal of the thread 28 from the package. The thread is removed by grasping the upper fold 30, which as shall be pointed out presently will be the only portion of the thread exposed, and pulling in a vertical direction, thus disengaging the individual threads 28 from the remainder of the threads 26 and the package 10. Also of significance with regard to the removal of the threads 26 is the fact that when the threads 26 are packaged, the fold 3t) is positioned so as to allow one end 27 of each thread 28 to extend approximately one-half 'inc'lf'blow the other end 29 so that upon removal of the thread 28 from the package, the user thereof will beable to easily grasp the extending one-half inch without the necessity of having to separate the folded halves of the thread 28. The advantages of such easy access to an end of the thread 28 for purposes of needle threading are readily apparent.

One of the major problems involved in thread packages is the maintaining of the position of the threads, such as threads 26, in position in the package especially during the removal of one of the threads, such as thread 2% The removal of [a single thread '28 will, in many instances, cause a tangling or unwinding of several of the remaining threads 26. Accordingly, the package 10* of the present invention further comprises a resilient band 44 positioned about the card 12 and clamping the threads 26 to the card. This band 44 can be of any suitable resilient material such as rubber. An advantage of the use :of a resilient member such as 44, is the fact that a compressive force will be present regardless of the number of threads remaining in the package.

As is readily apparent from FIGURE 4, this compressive force induced by the band 44- on the threads 26 will maintain a tension on the threads 26 during the removal of a single thread 2d, thus maintaining the threads 26 in their proper position on the supporting base or card 12 and preventing the tangling of the threads 26, or the removal of more than the desired thread 28.

If so desired, a paper sleeve 46 may be positioned around the card 12, threads 26 and resilient band 44. This sleeve 46, aside from protecting the enclosed threads, can also be used to contain directions for the use of the package, advertising material, or any other suitable subject matter.

Additionally, the provision of an external protective envelope 48 is preferred. This envelope 48 is provided with a tear strip 5i positioned adjacent its upper end 52 which corresponds with the upper end of the card 12 which contains the extending tab 18 with the uppermost fold 30 of the threads 26. As is clear from FIGURES l and 2, the top 52 of the envelope 48 is severed by means of the tear strip 50 thus exposing the upper fold 30 of the threads 26. Accordingly, only this upper fold 30' is exposed, and as such, the majority of the threads 26 will be protected from soiling or damage while still allowing easy access to the threads 26 inasmuch as the threads 26 are removed individually by an upward pulling on the fold 30 of the desired thread 2%. In this connection, it will also he noted that a plurality of different colored threads can be packaged in the same thread package with the desired color being readily discernible from the extending fold 30.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that a novel thread package has been defined having unique advantages brought about by a combination of novel features. These features are essentially a flat substantially rectangular supporting base or card having two aligned, inwardly and downwardly extending grooves near a top of the card forming an extending tab, a recess in the bottom of the card forming two extending projections, a plurality of threads positioned on the card and through the grooves and recess in a manner so as to facilitate the removal of an individual thread, said thread upon removal having one end extending beyond the other end for easy grasping by the user, a novel resilient tension maintaining band facilitating the removal of a single thread without interference with the remainder of the threads, and a sealing or protecting envelope, preferably of cellophane provided with a removable end so as to provide access to only that portion of the threads which must be exposed for selective removal of the threads. Accordingly, the thread package of the above invention advantageously provides access to any presel'ected thread out of a plurality of threads without the tangling or soiling of the remaining threads:

Theforegoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A thread package comprising a flat substantially rectangular base member having two sides, a top and a bottom, a pair of inwardly and downwardly inclined notches, one formed in each side at aligned positions spaced slightly below the top of the rectangular base member, a plurality of generally parallel threads, each thread being folded substantially medianly into approximately two equal sections over the top of the base member with each section extending along a first face of the base member, around the bottom of the base member,

along a second face of the base member, through one of said inclined notches, and again along said first face, each of the two sections extending through different notches and terminating on opposite sides of said base member, and means for holding said threads in position on said base member.

2. The combination of claim 1 including a recess formed within the bottom of the base member for the reception of the threads therein.

3. The combination of claim 1 including means for maintaining tension on all of the threads during the removal of one or more threads so as to prevent tangling of the threads or the removal of more threads than originally intended.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein one of the sections is slightly longer than the other so asfo provide a projecting end upon removal/ofea'ch thread from the base member.

5. The combination of claim 4 including means for maintaining tension on all of the threads during the removal of one or more threads so as to prevent tangling of the threads or the removal of more threads than originally intended.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein the tension maintaining means comprise a band of resilient material encircling the base member between the top and bottom thereof with the threads being compressed against the base by said resilient means.

7. The combination of claim 6 including a protective envelope completely enclosing the thread, said envelope being provided with a tear strip adjacent its top so as to provide for the removal of the top portion of the envelope thus exposing the thread for easy access thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,441,266 Clune Jan. 9, 1923 1,612,553 Van Hook Dec. 28, 1926 1,805,076 Carlston May 12, 1931 1,880,088 Guinzburg Sept. 27, 1932 1,887,529 Themak Nov. 15, 1932 2,242,737 Alfreds May 20, 1941 2,320,143 Johnson May 25, 1943 2,524,345 Essrnan Oct. 3, 1950 2,590,799 Solowey' Mar. 25, 1952 2,789,690 Simpson i Apr. 23, 1957 2,993,589 Zoller et a1. July 25, 1961 

1. A THREAD PACKAGE COMPRISING A FLAT SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR BASE MEMBER HAVING TWO SIDES, A TOP AND A BOTTOM, A PAIR OF INWARDLY AND DOWNWARDLY INCLINED NOTCHES, ONE FORMED IN EACH SIDE AT ALIGNED POSITIONS SPACED SLIGHTLY BELOW THE TOP OF THE RECTANGULAR BASE MEMBER, A PLURALITY OF GENERALLY PARALLEL THREADS, EACH THREAD BEING FOLDED SUBSTANTIALLY MEDIANLY INTO APPROXIMATELY TWO EQUAL SECTIONS OVER THE TOP OF THE BASE MEMBER WITH EACH SECTION EXTENDING ALONG A FIRST FACE OF THE BASE MEMBER, AROUND THE BOTTOM OF THE BASE MEMBER, ALONG A SECOND FACE OF THE BASE MEMBER, THROUGH ONE OF SAID INCLINED NOTCHES, AND AGAIN ALONG SAID FIRST FACE, EACH OF THE TWO SECTIONS EXTENDING THROUGH DIFFERENT NOTCHES AND TERMINATING ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID BASE MEMBER, AND MEANS FOR HOLDING SAID THREADS IN POSITION ON SAID BASE MEMBER. 